Spine
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Comparative Study
Efficacy of multimodality spinal cord monitoring during surgery for neuromuscular scoliosis.
This study determined the relative efficacy of somatosensory-evoked potentials and motor-evoked potentials in monitoring spinal cord function during surgery for patients with idiopathic versus neuromuscular scoliosis. ⋯ Single-channel cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials demonstrated a high level of unreliability, which reduced their clinical effectiveness. However, by using multiple recording sites with the somatosensory-evoked potentials and by administering motor-evoked potential procedures, it was possible to monitor spinal cord function in neuromuscular patients and avoid postoperative neurologic deficits.
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This study evaluated a lightweight Minerva cervicothoracic orthosis with an occipital flare and forehead strap. ⋯ This orthosis provides good control of the cervical spine below C1.
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This report describes an infrequent but major complication resulting from a lateral extracavitary approach to the spinal cord. The diagnosis was made via myelography-computed tomography. ⋯ This complication should be taken into account when this kind of surgical approach is performed. Myelography-computed tomography is the most reliable test for diagnosing this clinical condition and pinpointing the exact location of the leakage.